Lakers guard Andre Ingram gestures after scoring during the first half of Tuesday’s game against the Rockets at Staples Center. Ingram, a 32-year-old making his NBA debut after 10 seasons in the development league, scored 19 points. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lakers guard Andre Ingram, left, gets a hug from forward Brandon Ingram after the team’s NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 105-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lakers guard Andre Ingram, right, passes the ball while under pressure from Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Houston Rockets forward PJ Tucker, left, reaches for the ball held by Los Angeles Lakers center Brook Lopez during the first half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lakers guard Adam Ingram gestures after scoring during the first half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lakers guard Andre Ingram celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 105-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden gestures to a fan who was heckling him during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 105-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Lakers guard Andre Ingram celebrates after making a 3-point shot during the second half of the team’s NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets on Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 105-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Houston Rockets guard Gerald Green shoots during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 105-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Houston Rockets guard James Harden, left, and Los Angeles Lakers guard Alex Caruso go after a loose ball during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Tuesday, April 10, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Rockets won 105-99. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

LOS ANGELES — As Chris Paul made his way to the scorers’ table to check in to Tuesday’s game with just under two minutes left in the first quarter, so too did Lakers guard Andre Ingram.

Two 32-year-old guards playing in the NBA. Such different paths to that moment.

Before the buzzer rang them into the game, Paul turned to Ingram, set to make his NBA debut after spending 10 years in the NBA’s development league, and told him he had heard about his story.

“That grind is unbelievable,” Paul said. “I told him much respect. Ten years grinding in the G-League, and to finally get an opportunity and to play like that, that is pretty special.”

Ingram was blown away by how genuine Paul, like everyone over the previous 24 hours, was in that moment.

“It was really cool of him to do that,” Ingram said. “He actually reached out to do that, which was cool.”

What was already a sentimental story took a turn to the surreal once Ingram checked in, and “M-V-P” chants soon followed.

With his wife and two daughters in attendance at Staples Center, the most prolific shooter in G-League history proceeded to drain his first four shots from the field and finish with 19 points in an eventual 105-99 Lakers loss to the Houston Rockets.

“I was just sitting back watching the game as a fan,” Lakers center Brook Lopez said. “I’m like, ‘Wow, this is the stuff dreams are made of.’”

The Lakers made headlines by signing Ingram to his first NBA contract with two games left in the regular season and injuries piling up.

“I was clear about the fact that this wasn’t just doing the nice thing,” Walton said. “We were bringing him up because we thought he could help us when we have bodies down, and he can shoot the ball. It was for us just as much as it was for him, and I think tonight he showed the basketball world what kind of shooter he is. … For being in the bright lights, he was pretty good tonight and it was a lot of fun to watch.”

The loss in Game No. 81 capped the Lakers’ home slate. They finished 20-21 at home.

Josh Hart led the Lakers with 20 points, while the Rockets starting backcourt of Paul and James Harden combined for 43 points.

The story of the night, however, was Ingram. And not the one Lakers fans are accustomed to.

With 384 games in the G-League under his belt, Ingram had made a development league record 713 3-pointers.

When his first opportunity to shoot the ball in the NBA came, two minutes into the second quarter, he rose up from 27-feet and shot. His 3-pointer was perfect.

As usual.

A minute later, he connected again. By halftime, the rookie with salt and pepper hair who doesn’t even have an agent, was the Lakers’ leading scorer with 11 points.

“Everyone was like, ‘Man, when you get it just let it go,’” Ingram said, smiling widely. “Everyone was like that. All the players, all the coaches. It was crazy to see that first one go in, I felt great.”

Ingram stayed perfect from the field well into the second half. His third 3-pointer came with 2:14 left in the third, and pushed the Lakers ahead 75-73.

He didn’t miss until 5:02 remained in the game and finished the night 6 for 8 from the field and with four of his five 3-point attempts splashing through the net.

“Obviously we know he can shoot,” Walton said. “But there’s a fine line between being aggressive and taking bad shots. I don’t think he took a single bad shot all night. I thought we could do a better job of getting him the ball more.”

They can try again Wednesday.

The Lakers will almost certainly be just as short-handed in the season finale against the Clippers as they have been for the final weeks of their season.

Brandon Ingram remained in the NBA’s concussion protocol on Tuesday, while Lonzo Ball (left knee contusion) and Kyle Kuzma (sprained left ankle) were also sidelined. The Lakers have been coy about admitting whether those players’ seasons are over, but it’s safe to say they are.

“It’s not looking good that they’ll play,” Walton said, adding, “most likely we won’t see them again this season.”

Andre Ingram, however, will be out there. No doubt, he will be smiling, and his teammates will be imploring him to shoot.

“Hopefully our team and some other people that were watching tonight, watching his story were inspired by him,” Walton said.

Bill Oram covers the Los Angeles Lakers for the Southern California News Group. He covered the Utah Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune. He is the (usually) bearded guy in the background wearing a University of Montana hat.